EQUAL: New horizons for ageing research

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) extending quality life (EQUAL) initiative, specifically supports interdisciplinary user-focused design, engineering and technology research concerned with enhancing the independence and quality of life of older and disabled people. As well as establishing a new UK community of researchers and a new scientific approach to ageing research the initiative has successfully contributed across a broad front to policy and practice. In a short time it has provided a much-improved understanding of the potential contribution of new approaches to design, engineering and technology to enhancing the lives of older people and has engendered confidence in the potential of this type of ageing research.